Floating paddle

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus is provided for the construction of a plastic floating paddle for use while swimming and/or boating. This paddle has a main body member and extending portions which provide the paddle blades. The blades have their inner ends concealed and retained in a through passageway formed in the main body and in this passageway the ends interlock with each other. When and after the paddles are interlocked the main body is retained on and in fixed relationship with the shank portions of the paddles by shoulders formed on each of the blade shanks.

United States Patent i191 Persson June 17, 1975 FLOATING PADDLE [75]Inventor: Henry Persson, Bloomfield, NJ.

Field of Search 9/301, 307, 311, 3l2, 313; ll5/6.l, 21; 416/74;403/339-340, 393, 347; D8/229; Dl2/2l5 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,506,979 5/1950 Varnum 403/339 2,718,644 9/1955 Barr9/3ll 2,941,219 6/1960 Irving .1: 9/313 9/l962 Martin 9/3ll 5/1970Eriksen 9/307 Primary Examiner--Trygve M. Blix Assistant Examiner-JesusD. Sotelo Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ralph R. Roberts [57] ABSTRACT Amethod and apparatus is provided for the construction of a plasticfloating paddle for use while swimming and/or boating. This paddle has amain body member and extending portions which provide the paddle blades.The blades have their inner ends concealed and retained in a throughpassageway formed in the main body and in this passageway the endsinterlock with each other. When and after the paddles are interlockedthe main body is retained on and in fixed relationship with the shankportions of the paddles by shoulders formed on each of the blade shanks.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures FLOATING PADDLE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention With reference to the classificationof art as estab lished in the United States Patent Office the presentinvention relates to the general Class entitled, Boats, Buoys andAquatic Devices" (Class 9) and the subclasses therein entitled, swimmingaids (subclass 301) and arm or hand attached or held" (subclass 2.Description of the Prior Art Floats, life jackets, paddles with bladesat both ends and the like are well known. The use of a foam plastic witha smooth skin for devices used with and in water sports is also wellknown. The present invention uses a similar concept to provides acombination float and paddle wherein the central float member is moldedor shaped with a molded bore into which the shanks of the paddle membersare inserted. The distal end of each paddle is contoured to provideengaging lugs so arranged that in a particular orientation the ends willalign and slide by each other until locking hook-like portions engagelike relief shouldered recesses to form a locked arrangement defyingdisassociation, the disengagement being achieved by destruction of thecentral float member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION tion float and paddle which, as a floatingpaddle assembly, is adapted for use as a swimming aid or float oralternately as a paddle for propelling a water craft such as a canoe.

' It is a further object of this invention to provide, and

it does provide, a floating paddle and a method of making such apaddle.This assembly includes a center float i portion having anellipsoid shape formed with an axial passageway therethrough. A pair oflike blade members have their shank ends sized to be slidably retainedin said axial passageway and these ends also are shaped to provide analigned interlock when brought together.

The blades are made from molded plastic material of a compositioninsuring that the blades also float.

The method of this invention provides a means for the manufacture andassembly of a novel and useful floating paddle. This method ofmanufacture and the floating paddle produced therefrom includes anellip- ,soid main body using a floating or buoyant material which ismore-or-less in coincidence with the major axis of this main body. Thesepaddles when fully inserted through this hole in the main body haveengaging portions formed on their ends which when brought into insertedand mating condition engage cooperative engaging means and areinterlocked thereby providing a retaining'means for maintaining thepaddles in an oriented condition in the main body.

' When assembled this floating paddle provides a A unique and novelfloat useful in water sports such as swimming and a practical apparatusas a paddle in water energencies. When this floating paddle is used inwater sports and particularly as a swimming assist it not only assiststhe user in keeping afloat but also may be manipulated as an aid inpropelling oneself through the water. The floating paddle may also beused as a paddle for water craft such as a canoe. When used as a paddlefor propelling said water craft and in the event of an accident in whichthe user is thrown into the water from said water craft the floatingpaddle may be used as a life preserver and aid in getting the user tosafety.

In addition to the above summary the following disclosure is detailed toinsure adequacy and aid in understanding of the invention. Thisdisclosure is not limited to the concept shown no matter how it maylater be disguised by variations in form or additions of furtherimprovements. For this reason there has been chosen a specificembodiment of a floating paddle for use in water sports and with a watercraft and showing a preferred means for interlocking the paddleportions. This specific embodiment and an alternate interlocking meanshas been chosen for the purposes of illustration and description asshown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 represents a plan view of theassembled float showing an ellipsoid main body and a pair of extendedpaddle portions;

FIG. 2 represents a fragmentary front elevation of the blade end of thefloat.

FIG. 3 represents a sectional view in enlarged scale of a preferredinterlocking means for the ends of the paddles, and

FIG. 4 represents a sectional view in an enlarged scale of an alternateinterlocking construction for the ends of the paddles.

In the following description and in the claims various details areidentified by specific names for convenience. These names, however, areintended to be generic in their application. Corresponding referencecharacters refer to like members throughout the several figures of thedrawing.

The drawing accompanying, and forming part of, this specificationdiscloses the details of construction for the purpose of explanation butthe invention may be incorporated in other structural forms than shown.

Description of the Embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3 The floating paddleas shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a main body 10 having extendingpaddle members 11 mounted therein. This main body 10, as depicted, isellipsoid in shape with its ends 12 flattened to provide a flat shouldersurface substantially as shown. A through hole 14, which is more-or-Iessin coincidence with the major axis of this ellipsoid shape, is sized toprovide a sliding fit for the shaft portions 16 of each of the paddlemembers 11. The main body 10 is contemplated to be molded or otherwisemanufactured from a low density plastic which will provide floatation inwater. The main body could be of hollow sealed constuction if moreeconomical.

The paddles 11 are made in the same manner and preferably of the samematerial as the main body. Each paddle 11 is adapted to float in waterand has a blade 7 portion 20 attached to the shank portions 16.lntermediate the ends of the paddles and at approximately the center isformed a shoulder 22 which when the shanks are inserted and assembledwithin the bore 14 are in close proximity to or are in engagement withflat ends 12 on the body. In its assembled condition each shank extendsinwardly and continues past the shoulder for a distance sufficient forengagement with and interlocking with the other paddle shank insertedinto the other end of the through hole 14 so as to engage a like paddle.

A preferred interlocking means, as shown in FIG. 3, is provided on eachof the ends of the paddle shafts. In this preferred means theinterlocking is achieved by projections having hook-like portions formedon the distal end of each of the shanks 16. Each hook-like projection isformed with a tapered relief 24 terminating at a forward end 26 which isblended into a radial portion 27 which forms an arc of approximatelyninety degrees. A plane portion 28 extends inwardly from radial portion27 and terminates at an undercut which includes a stop lip 29 and ahorizontal plane 30. This undercut extends outwardly toward blades '20until it reaches an end 32. The undercut provides a recess 33 into whichthe hook portion of the other paddle extends when the blade shankportions are inserted into the passageway and are assembled. to member10.

Alternate End Locking As Seen In FIG. 4

The alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 4 represents a paddle shank 50having a male projection portion 52. Said male projection portion 52, asshown, has a rectangular cross section with upper-and lower surfaces 54and 56 which taper slightly diminishing from right to left. Theprojection 52 terminates at a substantially vertical plane 58. Insurface 54 is formed an undercut 59 defined by transverse ends 60 and 62connected by substantially horizontal plane 64.

Attached to the other paddle shank 70 is a U-shaped projection whichincludes one leg 72 extending from end surface 74. This end has an outercircular surface compatible with the diameter of bore 14. Thisterminates at plane 76 which is adapted to mate with sloped surface 56.The other leg 81 is hook-like and has a tapered radiused outer surface80 which terminates at a radiused end 82 which blends into ramp surface84.

This ramp surface is disposed at an angle of about twenty degrees withthe axis of the shaft. This ramp terminates at an abutting stop surface86, which stop surface extends to the undersurface of the hook which issubstantially horizontal and is identified as 88.

Assembly of the Floating Paddle The assembly of the floating paddle ofFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is accomplished by inserting the end of shanks 16 ofeach of the paddles 11 into opposite ends of through hole 14 of the mainbody 10. The paddles 11 are aligned with the blades and the hook endsdisposed as shown in F IG. 3. A force is applied along the axis of thepaddle shank 16 and in a direction toward the center of the main body10. The hook projections when aligned at 180 to each other are broughtinto contact with each other and further insertion of the shanks of thepaddles 11 cause the radial portions 27 to act as cams causing thehookprojections to deflect from their normal axis. As and when thedeflection occurs, the relieved side portions approach the bore sidewall allowing said hook-like projections to pass one another untilinsertion is completed with shoulder 22 engaging ends the relief andmove to their formed condition whereat they like FlGQ3 andareinterlocked. When interlocking has occurred the main body is retained byshoulders 22 and with the hooks engaged. the paddle members 11 cannot beremoved unless. body 10.-is opened as by splitting.

Similarly, the alternate interlocking means of FIG. 4 is effected whenthe shank portions of the paddle are properly aligned. This alignment isachieved when the hook-like member 81 is brought into alignment withplane 56 and plane or surface 54 is aligned with ramp 84. Insertion tothe full depth causes the hook-like projection to be deflected bysurface 84 engaging the forward surface of plane 54 until the hook endenters into the recess 59. As seen in FIG. 4, the hook-like projectionis interlocked into undercut 59 thereby effecting a positive interlock.

Operation of the Assembled Floating Paddle The assembled floating paddlemay be used as a swimming aid and as a simple float by the user graspingthe paddle shanks l6 and with the assembly providing the desiredbuoyancy. Where desired, the user can manipulate the paddle as apropelling means for swimming and as so utilized assists swimming. Thefloating paddle is manipulated as follows: the body of the floatingpaddle has sufficient buoyancy so that the paddle at leastpartially-floats on the'water and one of the extended paddle shankportions is grasped in each hand. The user raises and lowers each paddleand alternately pushes and pulls with each hand. The paddle portions aremoved in a circular manner with submergence of the paddle blade in thewater occurring on the pulling stroke and the raising the paddle bladeabove the water occurring on the pushing stroke. This repeated sequenceprovidesa propelling and paddling motion during swimming. I

As a propelling means for water craft such as a canoe, the float is usedas a paddle in the conventional manner. In the event of an accident thefloating paddle can be used as a survival aid and a means for propellingoneself to safety.

While the bore 14 and the shanks 16 have been above-described ascircular, it is, of course, contemplated that shaped bores such ashexagonal, rectangular or square can also be used. The float body 10 ispreferably of a foam plastic with a skin which is abrasion resistant.The paddle members are also of a vmolded foam plastic and are semirigid,however, the

hook ends are sufficiently resilient so as to able to be deflected inthe manner of a flat spring member and then snap back into position. Theplastic used forthe method, metal leaf spring members may be molded intothe hook end portions. Once the floating paddle assembly is assembledthe interlocks prevent disasse'mbly unless the body 10 is destroyed thenthe paddle members may be used with a new body.

The method of making and assembling the abovedescribed floating paddleincludes forming a main body of a foamed plastic and preferably bymolding. This forming further includesforming' a passageway through thebody-with the ends of the passageway having flat ends to provideengaging surfaces. This method further includes, forming substantiallylike paddles whose shank ends are eachlformed with hook-likeconfigurations which with the paddles assembled in the body are adaptedto be brought to an engaged and interlocked condition and wheninterlocked cannot be disengaged except by separating the body portion.The forming of each paddle includes providing a shoulder on theintermediate portion of the shank so that with the paddles in installedcondition the shoulders on the shanks of the paddles retain the floatbody substantially midway of the paddle assembly.

Terms such as up. down. bottom, top, front, back, in. out, and the likeare applicable to the embodiment shown and described. These terms aremerely for the purposes of description and do not necessarily apply tothe position in which the floating paddle may be constructed or used.

It is understood the invention is not limited to the depicted apparatusand that changes may be made within the scope of theaccompanying claimsand protection is sought to the broadest extent the prior art allows.

What is claimed is:

1. A floating paddle for use'while swimming, boating and the like, saidpaddle including: (a) a main body member of buoyant material and formedwith a through passageway; (b) a pair of paddle members of substantiallylike configuration and of buoyant material each having a shank portionwhose ends and adjacent portions are sized to slidably enter and beretained in the through passageway provided in the main body member; (c)latching means cooperatively formed on each of the shank ends ofpaddles, said latching means includes a male projection portion formedon the end of one paddle shank, said male projection portion having arectangular cross section having at least two sloped sides which taperslightly toward the distal end,

, the projection terminating on one side at its inner end tcrlock of thepaddle shanks within the through passageway of the paddle body member.and (d) retaining means cooperatively formed on said shank portions ofthe paddles and the main body to establish and maintain said body at adetermined linear position on said shank portions as and after thepaddles are brought into interlocked condition.

2. The method of forming and assembling a floating paddle for use inswimming, boating and the like, said method including the steps of: (a)forming a main body of buoyant material and substantially axiallytherethrough a passageway of determined size and configuration: (12)forming a pair of paddle members of substantially like configuration andof buoyant material, each paddle formed with a shank portion whose endand adjacent portions are formed to slidably enter and be retained inthe passageway through the main body; (6) forming the ends of the shanksof the paddles to provide cooperative latching and interlocking means oneach shank end, the achieved interlock occurring when the ends are fullyinserted into the passageway of the float body, said forming of alatching means on each of the ends of the paddles further includingforming a male projection portion on the end of one paddle shank, saidmale projection portion formed with a rectangular cross section havingat least two sloped sides which taper slightly toward the distal end andin one of the sides of the projection and at its inner end forming anundercut and forming the other paddle shank with its distal end having aU-shaped projection which includes one leg adapted to mate with one ofthe sloped sides of the male tapered projection on the other paddleshank end and forming the other projection portion of the U-shape with ahook-like projection disposed to engage the opposite sloped side untilfull engagement is achieved whereat the hook-like portion enters theundercut in the other shank member end to achieve an interlock of thepaddle shanks within the through passageway of the paddle body member,and (d) forming a retaining means on the shank portions of the paddle,said retaining means cooperating with the passageway and the float bodyto establish and maintain said body at a determined linear position onsaid shank portions as and when the paddles are in interlockedcondition.

1. A floating paddle for use while swimming, boating and the like, saidpaddle including: (a) a main body member of buoyant material and formedwith a through passageway; (b) a pair of paddle members of substantiallylike configuration and of buoyant material each having a shank portionwhose ends and adjacent portions are sized to slidably enter and beretained in the through passageway provided in the main body member; (c)latching means cooperatively formed on each of the shank ends ofpaddles, said latching means includes a male projection portion formedon the end of one paddle shank, said male projection portion having arectangular cross section having at least two sloped sides which taperslightly toward the distal end, the projection terminating on one sideat its inner end with a formed undercut; the other paddle shank havingits distal end formed with a Ushaped projection which includes one legadapted to mate with one of the sloped sides of the male taperedprojection of the shank end of the other paddle and with the otherprojection portion of the U-shape having a hook-like projection adaptedto engage the opposite sloped side of the male tapered projection untilfull engagement of the ends is achieved whereat the hook-like portionenters the undercut in the other shank member end to achieve aninterlock of the paddle shanks within the through passageway of thepaddle body member, and (d) retaining means cooperatively formed on saidshank portions of the paddles and the main body to establish andmaintain said body at a determined linear position on said shankportions as and after the paddles are brought into interlockedcondition.
 2. The method of forming and assembling a floating paddle foruse in swimming, boating and the like, said method including the stepsof: (a) forming a main body of buoyant material and substantiallyaxially therethrough a passageway of determined size and configuration:(b) forming a pair of paddle members of substantially like configurationand of buoyant material, each paddle formed with a shank portion whoseend and adjacent portions are formed to slidably enter and be retainedin the passageway through the main body; (c) forming the ends of theshanks of the paddles to provide cooperative latching and interlockingmeans on each shank end, the achieved interlock occurring when the endsare fully inserted into the passageway of the float body, said formingof a latching means on each of the ends of the paddles further includingforming a male projection portion on the end of one paddle shank, saidmale projection portion formed with a rectangular cross section havingat least two sloped sides which taper slightly toward the distal end andin one of the sides of the projection and at its inner end forming anundercut and forming the other paddle shank with its distal end having aU-shaped projection which includes one leg adapted to mate with one ofthe sloped sides of the male tapered projection on the other paddleshank end and forming the other projection portion of the U-shape with ahook-like projection disposed to engage the opposite sloped side untilfull engagement is achieved whereat the hook-like portion enters theundercut in the other shank member end to achieve an interlock of thepaddle shanks within the through passageway of the paddle body member,and (d) forming a retaining means on the shank portions of the paddle,said retaining means cooperating with the passageway and the float bodyto establish and maintain said body at a determined linear position onsaid shank portions as and when the paddles are in interlockedcondition.